Under the leadership of the Director of Student Support, The SEED School of Maryland is seeking a mental health counselor to provide counseling prevention and intervention services to students during academic and dormitory hours. Along with other members of the Student Support team, this Mental Health Counselor identifies and provides developmentally appropriate supports to students, with the goal of increasing self-esteem, raising student expectations for achievement, enhancing life and social-skills development, and promoting The SEED School character values. The Mental Health Counselor also provides appropriate mental health intervention that will promote student success and academic persistence during The SEED School enrollment and after graduation.

Direct Student Mental Health and Counseling Services

• Serve as a primary source of mental health support during the Academic and Student Life Program hours (Sunday: 5pm-9pm. and Monday- Thursday: 12-9pm.).
• Provide psychoeducation sessions for identified cohorts in various grades
• Provide support in crisis situations (e.g., students expressing suicidal ideation, risk to others, or self-harm).
• Collaborate with the Student Support Team (Director of Student Support, Mental Health Lead, School Psychologist, School Counselors, Social Workers, and Deans of Students), as well as Student Life Managers, and Directors of Student Life and Academic Programs to determine best practices for clinical intervention, student growth, and academic success.
• Develop and assist with the implementation of effective strategies to support healthy emotional, behavioral, and academic functioning for students within the Student Life Program.
• Assist students in developing long-term academic, career, life planning, personal, and interpersonal goals.
• Provide related services to Special Education students; participate on IEP and 504 teams.

Administrative

• Maintain appropriate clinical documentation
• Collect and submit accurate and timely data

Crisis Intervention/Emergency Management

• Provide crisis intervention and management of mental health emergencies for all students during the Student Life Program, as needed, with support from Mental Health Lead.

Professionalism/Professional Development

• Attend staff meetings, professional development, in-service programs, and other school-sponsored events as scheduled by the Student Support Team.
• Work within an academic interdisciplinary environment with teachers, special educators, parents, Student Life staff, and other specialists to best meet the social, emotional, behavioral, and academic needs of SEED Maryland students.
• Maintain licensure requirements.
• Complete regular self-evaluations as part of performance review with supervisor.
• Participate in ongoing professional development programming for staff.
• Assist with development of relevant trainings for staff as needed.
• Commitment to self-care and social support as a model for students and colleagues.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Student Support.
• Ability and willingness to be flexible within an innovative boarding school environment that requires the coordination of multiple professional tasks, agendas, and priorities.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Experience and Education

• Master’s Degree or equivalent working experience in counseling, or social work, or related field.
• Licensed Professional Counselor or Social Worker (LGPC, LMSW minimum required licensure).
• 2-3 years of direct experience in adolescent and family counseling, residential/boarding education, college-preparatory academic settings, counseling/psychology, and/or related fields.

Expectations

• Commitment and alignment to The SEED School mission, vision, and belief that all children can succeed socially and academically with the appropriate support.
• Expansive understanding of adolescent development and the bio-psychosocial characteristics, needs, and strengths of students 12-18.
• Ability to manage stressful crisis situations with a calm, solution-oriented professionalism.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with a range of ages.
• Commitment to professionalism, excellence, and high expectations for students and faculty.
• Ability and willingness to be flexible within an innovative boarding school environment that requires the coordination of multiple professional tasks, agendas, and priorities .
• Excellent communication skills, both one-on-one and in group settings.
• Clear judgment.
• A strong conceptual grasp of academic discipline and social emotional competence.
• Considerable knowledge of multicultural issues and gender based academic concerns.
• Knowledge of procedures and policies for addressing learning differences and ensuring appropriate access to the educational curriculum for students with varied learning styles.
• Working knowledge of instructional technologies

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, some standing, walking, sitting, bending and carrying of light items, such as books and papers, is required.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The work involves everyday risks and discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical of such places as classrooms, offices, meeting and training rooms, etc. The work area is adequately lighted, heated and ventilated. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.